Photo: Gravity-fed-water-inside-pipeline
Portland is first city in US to use water for renewable energy
10 April 2015
by Richard Forster
The Portland Water Bureau and Lucid Energy, a provider of renewable smart water infrastructure, have turned one of the city’s major water pipelines into a generator of renewable energy.
The system uses the gravity-fed flow of water inside the city-owned pipeline to spin four 1-metre turbines that are now producing electricity for Portland General Electric customers, helping promote renewable power development.
The system, which was installed at no cost to the water bureau or to the City of Portland, is the first project in the US to secure a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for renewable energy produced by in-pipe hydropower in a municipal water pipeline.
“The Water Bureau welcomed the opportunity to explore the innovative use of a Portland pipe delivering water to create hydroelectric power as well,” said David Shaff, Water Bureau Administrator. “Water and energy are closely linked. The Lucid pipe system provides a way for the Water Bureau to contribute to generating electricity for our community in a clean, low-cost and renewable way.”
The system will begin full energy production this month and will generate approximately US$2 million worth of renewable energy capacity over the 20-year PPA period, enough electricity for more than 150 homes. The Portland Water Bureau and Harbourton (that financed the project through Lucid Energy) will share in the revenue. After 20 years, the water bureau will have the right to own the system and all the energy it produces.
“Water agencies are looking for ways to be more energy efficient, energy utilities are seeking more renewable sources of energy and investors are seeking opportunities in smart water and energy infrastructure,” said Gregg Semler, President and CEO of Lucid Energy. “The industry is looking to Portland as an example of how all of these entities can partner to take advantage of in-pipe hydropower to generate investment returns and reduce the cost of delivering clean, safe drinking water.”
